Jamaat agrees on July Charter implementation through constitutional order, supports referendum

The Jamaat-e-Islami Bangladesh has agreed on the implementation of the July Charter through constitutional order, party Assistant Secretary General Rafiqul Islam Khan said today (17 September). 

Speaking to reporters after a meeting with the Consensus Commission at Foreign Service Academy, the Jamaat leader said the party also expressed its opinion for holding a referendum.

“The legal basis of the July Charter represents the demand for the rights of 18 crore people in Bangladesh,” he said.

Another assistant secretary general, Hamidur Rahman Azad, clarified that only one of the four opinions provided by the commission experts has been discussed so far. 

“If that opinion is adopted, the legal basis will be strong. Even if our statement does not exactly mirror the commission’s, we agreed on the fundamental points,” he said.

He further said, “Those who fail to recognise July Charter as a source of legal basis are not embracing the July Spirit. The youth have demonstrated this in the recent student council elections.”

If the matter goes to a referendum, he hopes people will vote in favour of the July Charter as a foundation for a new political system. 

“It would be best if the referendum takes place before the national election,” he added.

Earlier in the day, the National Consensus Commission held talks with political parties on the third day of its third phase of dialogue.

After the meeting, the commission Vice-Chairman Prof Ali Riaz said that a panel of legal experts has suggested four possible mechanisms to implement the July Charter — through an ordinance, executive order, referendum, or a special constitutional order.